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A friend of mine just picked up a '98 M3 Sedan. Not exactly in perfect shape but every time I sit in it, I wish I had an e36. I like how the e46 interior is more refined, but the rugged functionality and utility of the e36 interior, coupled with the more chiseled exterior lines really make the car attractive to me.

The issue is that in my area, every e36 I find is either auto, salvaged, abused, or has a disgusting tan interior. Or some combination of all 4 of those.

The great thing about the E36 is that the interior is really easy to swap out, my last 318 came with hosh-posh interior, I found a wrecked 328i with black leather sports seats and bought all the seats, all door panels and the center console for $200 I definitely love the E36 interior, people bitch about it but it's all about maintenance, as long as you're not lazy it's just as rugged as the E46's interior and I definitely like the layout better, it feels like a cockpit, it's all very clearly set up around the drivers seat, I love that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adaseb

I checked the local autotrader and it seems that unless its an M5, all the E39 are pretty much Automatics.

Again, this is why I'm tempted by the 5-speed manual 530i sports that have popped up in my area. And yes, Choxor, they've gotten ridiculously cheap... very tempting.

Well hell, if you can find a cheap one in good knick I say go for it. If you like it during the test drive, of course. Lots of unplanned expenses come up when you buy a house. The extra cash could help.

The great thing about the E36 is that the interior is really easy to swap out, my last 318 came with hosh-posh interior, I found a wrecked 328i with black leather sports seats and bought all the seats, all door panels and the center console for $200 I definitely love the E36 interior, people bitch about it but it's all about maintenance, as long as you're not lazy it's just as rugged as the E46's interior and I definitely like the layout better, it feels like a cockpit, it's all very clearly set up around the drivers seat, I love that.

You're exactly right about the cockpit thing. Even though all of the cockpits I have time in are pretty lame (single engine, piston aircraft), the e36 really does feel like the cockpit of like a fighter jet or something. I love how everything is canted towards the driver. All the buttons/knobs are the perfect distance for my arms and the seat really hugs me. As long as it doesn't have that wood grain from the lux package, I really find the e36 interior much easier to maintain and clean and keep looking 'new.'

Well hell, if you can find a cheap one in good knick I say go for it. If you like it during the test drive, of course. Lots of unplanned expenses come up when you buy a house. The extra cash could help.

My only concern is that the roundels are faded and the headlights are fogged, indicating that the owner didn't care that much about the exterior... but my ZHP had faded roundels when I bought it too and it's been pretty great as far as what's been done by the PO.

i use to have an 03 530i sport pkg w 5 speed and honestly i regret selling it, it was a beautiful car, smooth, quick and always brought a smile to my face, and it was so incredibly clean, but i wanted something a little smaller so went back to the E46's but if i ever came across another 5 speed one too id probably take it...as long as its an 02-03. Right now however im looking for a 04+ 5 series just because i drool whenever i see that body style and i love the way they drive and all the techy bits in them.

E39's do not have heated steering wheels, however, you can modify the slip ring in the steering column and install an X5 heated wheel on the car. Many owners swap the wheels from season to season as they do not like the non sporty M5 heated wheel.

I was wondering if you could get Sport wheel recovered and install the X5 heating element? Then you need sort out a way to power/control the heated wheel. Maybe off the heated drivers seat?? Maybe off the switching center?

As for an M5 not being a good fit, you should reconsider that statement. If you could get a deal on a reasonable M5, you put some PM into in the beginning and it will treat you right. There have been documented cases of E39 M5's going almost 300k miles!!

Of course if they are seeing the rev limiter every stop light, do not expect that kind of lifespan.

My only concern is that the roundels are faded and the headlights are fogged, indicating that the owner didn't care that much about the exterior... but my ZHP had faded roundels when I bought it too and it's been pretty great as far as what's been done by the PO.

I'm definitely going to at least check it out.

who cares about its maintaince. after you buy it, you give it a full Mango-treatment. replace its guts.
assume for the worst and buy the car as cheap as possible.

Not at all interested in 540's. Front heavy, crap steering, worse mileage and much less reliable. I'd much rather go with the 530i and eventually give it a limited slip and a supercharger (In that order)